7 DAYS CULINARY HOLIDAY - NORTH & SOUTH TOUR

Separated by wars in the past, now unified under one flag, this tour offers you a little perspective into how different the styles, flavors, and cultures are from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. From salty and sour in the north, to sweet and spicy in the south, the culinary preferences of Vietnam vary quite a bit as you travel south.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI – TASTE OF HANOI

Arriving at Noi Bai airport, we will greet you at airport with a ‘Welcome’ sign board and then you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with the tranquil ‘Restored Sword’ Lake at its heart.

Day 2: HANOI – HALONG WORLD HERITAGE - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

With over 1600 islets, countless towering limestone karsts and hidden jungle caves, Vietnam’s “Bay of Descending Dragons” is a must-see destination for every traveller to Southeast Asia. Stay for 1 night in the bay aboard a Halong Bay cruise to experience all that this magical landscape has to offer.

At 8am, we will fetch you from your hotel, to head to Halong Bay. We will arrive slightly before noon, at the Halong Bay Pier, where you will be transferred to the cruise ship. Once on board the ship, you will be provided a welcome drink, followed by cruise briefing and safety instructions, conducted by the host of the boat. After that, you will check in your cabin.

Lunch will be served on board while cruising and passing byDog islet, Fighting Cock islet (symbol of Halong Bay), Hoa Cuong fishing village, and Swan islet. After lunch, the ship will continue exploring the wonders of Halong bay, passing by countless islands including Soi Sim beach, Coconut Tree Island.

We will anchor the vessel at Frog Pond area, where you can take time to explore this beautiful scenery by kayaking through the majestic scenery and swimming in emeraldcoloured water.

Relax on the sundeck with some cocktails, complimented by a variety of tropical fruits and best local wines. Then attend a cooking demonstration with our chef to learn one of the most popular cuisines in Vietnam: spring rolls.

For dinner, we specially prepare a meal to reward your taste buds and stomach. After that, you can engage in various evening activities, such as relaxing at leisure, doing squid fishing…

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Day 3: HALONG – HANOI

Wake up to a refreshing morning with an organized Tai Chi class scheduled at 6.30am. Once, we have revived our bodies with smooth, deliberate, flowing movements, you may enjoy a light breakfast with our assorted homemade pastries, along with coffee, tea or fresh fruit juices.

We will move next on to Sung Sot Cave, where you will have the option to climb up and down 600 steps, to the magnificent limestone formations of the most beautiful and biggest cave in Halong bay. After the visit to the cave, you will check out of the cabin, and settle your bill, if you have incurred any additional expenses, like drinks or snacks in the bar.

A beautiful lunch will be served as the ship cruises back to the Halong Bay harbour.

Our coach will pick you up and return back to Hanoi. ETA to be about 5pm, if the traffic is cooperative.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 4: HANOI EXPLORATION – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY

You’ll have free time to one last time explore the cozy yet crazy little streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter before our driver comes to pick you and bring you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi MInh City.

When you arrive we will have a greeter to meet you with you name on a sign board. They will take you to the hotel for check-in and then you have the rest of the evening to get settled in and get to know the area around your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast

Day 5: HCMC - COOKING CLASS

In the morning, we will pick you up and start market visit: our Vietnamese Chef will guide us through the colorful and vibrant Ben Thanh market to purchase the ingredients we will use during the cooking lesson.

Then we will start Cooking Class– We will use Vietnamese kitchenware to realize and enjoy a tasty 3 – 4 courses meal.-Complimentary dessert & free flow of water.-Nice folder with detailed recipes.All Chefs and team are fluent in English.

Cooking class will finish at around 12:30 – 1:00 P.M

Then we will back to hotel and you are free at leisure to explore Ho Chi Minh by yourself.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 6: EXPLORE MEKONG DELTA FULLDAY

Over 60 million people depend on theMekong Delta as their primary source of income or sustenance, and it connect 6 different countries. We will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and then transfer to My Tho, on a 2.5 hour drive.

On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a motor boat to enter My Tho city, through Bao Dinh natural canal. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as the Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.Visit the coconut candy mill and take a boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals. Meet at the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta.